Inability To Urinate Post Op
Posted , 15 users are following.
I recently had the Green light Laser Surgery. I have been unable to urinate since then. Everything they tried worked...ONCE! Right after surgery I peed good then I had to force it out then that didn't even work. Back to ER for cath.
Yesterday the cath came out and I was put on Bethanechol 25 mg 3X per day . The first time I tried it it worked GREAT! A real FIRE HOSE! I thought, FINALLY, they have something that works.
Well, it stopped working yesterday afternoon and last night. I happen to know for a fact that I produce 1,000 ml of urine over night. Sometimes as high as 1200. It's morning and still no go which means my bladder is full. It's off to the ER shortly.
I have asked several times to teach me self cath but they seen cold to the idea.
WHAT POSSIBLE REASON COULD THEY HAVE FOR THISC ATTITUDE?
Comments and suggestions welcome.
Tom
0 likes, 43 replies
gbhall tom512836
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cartoonman tom512836
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The brand recommended highly by me and others for ease of use: SpeediCath hydrophilic.
DO NOT ACCEPT RUBBER CATHS! Imho, medieval and potentially painful to use. Some nurses and uro docs still don't get that.
Good luck!
kenneth1955 tom512836
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paul20443 tom512836
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jimjames tom512836
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If it's the former -- swelling-- then they might have to use catheters until the swelling goes down. Sounds like they think it will be a quick fix (ER visit) because they haven't sent you home with a Foley.
If the quick fix doesn't work this time, or they send you home with a Foley, self catherization is certainly an alternative option. One that personally I would prefer, and in fact an option I chose over a Foley several years back when I was scheduled for an operation.
Why their attitude? Maybe they think the problem will go away very soon and they don't think it's worthwhile to start you on something you may not need very soon. Or maybe your team just doesn't prescribe self cathing at all. They either use Foley's or operate. Some urologists are like that.
Jim
jimjames
Posted
But again, I would really hear them out both as to why you are having difficulty urinating, how long they think this will last, how are they intending on dealing with the problem, and why they don't want you to self cath. You really have a right to know all these things.
Jim
cartoonman jimjames
Posted
Good luck, Tom! Let us know what happens!
jimjames cartoonman
Posted
That said, this is a different situation as surgery has already been done, and hopefully his inability to urinate is just temporary. In this case, I can see wearing the bag as a reasonable alternative. For some of us, I include myself here, the first few weeks of self cath can be h*ll, and the Foley would spare that even with its inconvenience, and hopefully only a one time thing.
Longer term, yes, self cath over Foley any day!
Jim
mark23925 jimjames
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oldbuzzard tom512836
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derek76 tom512836
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ES28567 tom512836
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tom86211 tom512836
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Sorry to hear you are going through this. I went through the exact same thing after radiation to my prostate for prostate cancer. The radiation/green light causes tissue swelling and then you can't pee. I had to go to the ER 2 days post op with intense pain and 1200cc of urine blocked in my bladder. I had a Foley catheter put in, taken out, put in, taken out etc. 5 times over a 6 week period until the tissues settled down. I actually got used to the Foley after a while - easy.
My urologist recommended self-cath, gave me an orange rubber re-usable cath, but every time I tried it I hated the process. Decided to stay on the Foley. During this process I sent for some sample hydrophilic (self lubricating) catheters and was able to get the process to work - not easy. After 5 weeks I was finally able to pee on my own. If anything like this happens again I still have the hydrophilic catheters ready. At least, if you absolutely can't pee, the self cath is better than going to the ER while you're in pain.
As has been mentioned here before, this situation should resolve over time - usually a few weeks. After that, you will never take peeing for granted again.
Best of luck to you,
Tom
nealpros tom86211
Posted
Neal
tom512836 nealpros
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I took the first pill in the office. I was told to go and drink a lot then to com back in 3 hours.
I went home, drank 64 ounces of Gatorade ans 2 8 ounces cups of coffee. I came back to the office and peed LIKE A FIRE HOSE! I thought "Great, they've got a handle on it." From then on it was small amounts of urine . Went bed and next morninbg I tried to go. I went a little bit and I had to bear down myself. That's why I went to ER.
I want to get self cathing to give me freedom to consult with other doctors.
I DID go after drinking more than any normal person drinksin 3 hours.